"Abandon the Union?"
Kunrad couldnʼt comprehend what Zeke was saying.
Zeke then placed a new document in front of Kunrad.
"Whatʼs this...?" "Read it."
Kunrad unfolded the document and scanned its contents, jumping in surprise.
"Alchemistsʼ Association?"
Zeke grinned as he replied.
"Itʼs about cutting out the stagnant, rotten parts of the Union and starting fresh from the beginning."
Kunrad had never imagined that Zeke might be planning to create a new alchemistsʼ organization.
But upon examining the document, it was clear that it had more than enough capital, expertise, and justification to replace the Union entirely.
"If this association came into being, the Union wouldnʼt last more than a few years before it was driven out of the market."
Cold sweat trickled down Kunradʼs forehead.
Not only did Feynen Pharmaceuticalsʼ new drugs pose a threat, but even just the innovative potions Zeke had brought already made the Unionʼs products lose their edge in competition.
And if the new drugs from the naga were added as outlined in the document, the Union— which had been gouging excessive profits—would face massive backlash and collapse. "If this was real, I needed to jump ship fast." He looked at Zeke and said.
"Sir Zeke, are you saying that if I abandon the Union, youʼll take me into the association?" Zeke glanced at Princess Melissa beside him.
She nodded and addressed Kunrad.
"The Alchemistsʼ Association will be established under the leadership of the Reinhart Trading Company. Weʼre joining hands with the Kingdom of Cusco and the naga city of the Forest of Lush Stillness. But we still need to bring in alchemists from the Central Continent. For that, weʼll need someone with experience."
In other words, she was telling Kunrad to bring over information and connections from the Union side.
Sweat poured down his face as his eyes darted around frantically.
At that moment, Zeke said to Kunrad.
"To reform, we must wash away all past mistakes. If you join the association, the Union will just be a competitor anyway."
Zeke leaned forward toward Kunrad.
"Isnʼt it better to crush a competitor in advance? Judge wisely."
Kunrad understood what Zeke meant.
"He wanted me to hand over the Unionʼs corruption and intelligence."
By using that information to dismantle the Union, the new association Zeke was creating could swoop in and take root.
Kunradʼs body trembled at Zekeʼs thorough plan.
"If I didnʼt help establish the association, he would pressure the Principality of Vadoka to revoke the Unionʼs authorization. Without that, the Union was done for anyway. Contrary to the rumors, this man... he was like the incarnation of the Draker family itself." After finishing dessert, Zeke stood and escorted Princess Melissa.
He then looked at Kunrad, still kneeling on the floor, and said.
"Think it over carefully, Kunrad. Figure out how you can survive."
Even after Zeke and Melissa left the restaurant, Kunrad remained on his knees for a long while.
His mind raced in turmoil.
Finally, he clenched his lips and nodded.
"Thereʼs only one way for me to live."
*
"Whew, that was incredibly tense."
In the carriage back to the hotel, Princess Melissa finally let out a sigh of relief.
She had heard from Zeke how things would unfold, but she hadnʼt expected it to play out exactly as planned.
Knowing how arrogantly alchemists usually strutted around, she couldnʼt believe Kunrad had taken such a submissive stance.
Recalling Kunradʼs groveling demeanor, Melissa turned to Zeke seated across from her and asked.
"Sir Zeke, do you really think Kunrad will betray the others?" Zeke smiled at her.
"What do you think, Princess?"
Pondering the returned question, Melissa soon shook her head.
"People donʼt change that easily. Considering Kunradʼs cautious nature, I doubt heʼll abandon the Union."
Zeke nodded in agreement.
"That could be the case."
Melissa was puzzled by his response.
"Did you pressure him assuming he wouldnʼt come over, Sir Zeke?" Zeke grinned and replied.
"Iʼve prepared for both possibilities. Whether he defects or not, weʼll adapt to the situation accordingly."
Hearing this, Melissaʼs mind went blank.
Zeke had anticipated every scenario and readied countermeasures for each.
"He was an incredible person, truly."
To Melissa, Zeke seemed more and more like someone from a distant world.
Unaware of her gaze, Zeke gazed out the window at the Neutral Cityʼs scenery.
"I wondered how Kunrad would respond."
The outcome came sooner than expected.
That very evening, Kunrad contacted Zekeʼs side, offering his cooperation.
Zeke shared the news with Melissa, and they raised a toast together.
As Melissa beamed with joy yet a hint of worry, she asked Zeke.
"So what happens next, Sir Zeke?"
Zeke lifted his champagne flute filled with tea, his expression relaxed.
"We proceed as planned and establish the association. And weʼll need to call in some reporters to write stories for the news bulletins." Melissa was startled.
"You mean publishing articles about forming a new alchemistsʼ organization in the news bulletins?" Zeke nodded.
"The more publicity, the better. If you know any news bulletins, Princess, please reach out. Mentioning our involvement will thrill them." Zeke was the hottest topic across the continent.
Gossip articles about women connected to him were especially popular.
Initially, his relationship with Angelina Graham, renowned as the continentʼs greatest beauty, had drawn massive attention, but it had quieted down without follow-ups.
Then, combining that with the major news of a new alchemistsʼ association and their joint appearance would create an explosive synergy.
Zeke looked at Melissa and said.
"Princess, something very interesting is about to unfold, so look forward to it."
*
A few days after Zekeʼs visit, all the executives of the Alchemistsʼ Union gathered in the upper conference room of the Red Tower.
The chairman and other executives of the Union displayed anxious expressions, their faces grim.
The vice chairman then spoke to the chairman.
"Chairman, is it really true that Zeke Draker wants to strengthen ties with the Union and entrust the new drug sales to us?"
At his words, the other executives turned their gazes toward the chairman.
Kunrad frowned at the onslaught of stares and snapped irritably.
"How many times do I have to say it? Damn it, I worked hard to convince him, so trust me!"
The executives eyed Kunrad with evident skepticism.
Kunrad had informed them that Zeke Draker had threatened to expose the Union for demon summoning and used his influence to pressure them.
But he had concealed the fact that Zeke was forming a new association. Instead, he lied, claiming he had negotiated with Zeke to distribute Feynen Pharmaceuticalsʼ new drugs through the Union and share the profits.
He had also announced that Zeke himself would come today to finalize the contract.
Of course, that was a fabrication.
By saying this, Kunrad had diverted the executivesʼ attention, then handed over the information on their corruption and malfeasance as Zeke requested.
All he needed was to escape to the association alone, so he betrayed them all in exchange.
The chairman had summoned them since morning to aid Zeke in using the evidence Kunrad provided to arrest the executives and dismantle the Union.
Unaware of this, the executives continued casting suspicious glances at the chairman, who pretended ignorance and simply waited for Zeke to arrive.
Then it happened.
One executive burst into the conference room, pale-faced and out of breath.
"This is bad!"
He distributed the morning news bulletin to the executives in the room.
The bulletin featured a major article on the launch of the new Alchemistsʼ Association and Feynen Pharmaceuticalsʼ innovative drugs.
It stated that the new drugs from Feynen Pharmaceuticals would be distributed through the Reinhart Trading Company with the associationʼs authorization, and they would be provided free to the underprivileged.
The article concluded by noting that the newly established Alchemistsʼ Association planned to supply high-quality, affordable medicines, backed by the authorization from the Principality of Vadoka.
From the Unionʼs perspective, it was a complete betrayal from behind.
The other executives leaped to their feet in shock upon reading the bulletin.
"What is the meaning of this, Chairman!"
Kunrad didnʼt even finish reading the bulletin properly and turned away, feigning ignorance amid the executivesʼ shouts.
"Damn it, hurry up and come arrest these guys already—whatʼs Zeke Draker doing?"
At that moment.
"Argh! What the hell is this!"
The vice chairman, reading the bulletin, let out a scream.
"Ugh! Zeke Draker! How dare you deceive me!"
The vice chairman suddenly flew into a rage, slamming the desk.
He tore the bulletin to shreds and yelled.
"You promised me the association chairmanship! You just extracted the information and betrayed me!"
Hearing the vice chairmanʼs words, Kunradʼs mind went blank. "The vice chairman also leaked information to Zeke Draker? No way..." He hastily checked the bulletin.
But it contained something utterly unexpected.
"The new Alchemistsʼ Association will be led by Master Paulo, grandson of Jabir Ibn Hassan."
Kunradʼs hands trembled as he read it.
Master Paulo.
He was the grandson of Jabir Ibn Hassan, who had spearheaded the renaissance of alchemy.
Succeeding his grandfather Jabir, Paulo had become an exceptional alchemist and earned the title of master.
Paulo had inherited Jabirʼs spirit, aiming to create medicines that could help everyone, but internal politics in the Union had stifled his efforts.
When he tried to expose the Unionʼs corruption, he was expelled instead, leaving him unable to continue as an alchemist.
Zeke had appointed this very Master Paulo as the chairman of the new Alchemistsʼ Association.
Seeing that Paulo—not himself—had become chairman, Kunradʼs eyes turned bloodshot.
"This... this canʼt be..."
He staggered to his feet.
Only then did he realize Zeke Draker had deceived him.
He had tricked both Kunrad, who held the most information in the Union, and the vice chairman, extracting all the executivesʼ corruption and malfeasance.
If he and the vice chairman had been open about Zekeʼs offer, they might have seen through his scheme quickly.
But their selfish desire to save themselves had blinded them, leading to mutual destruction.
With a mad glint in his eyes, Kunrad glared at Zeke Drakerʼs photo in the bulletin.
"How dare you deceive me? Iʼll use all my connections and influence to drag down Zeke Draker..." Then it happened.
Bang!
The conference room door was forced open, and the captain of the Neutral Cityʼs 3rd Guard Unit entered, clad in full plate armor, accompanied by knights and guardsmen.
He lifted his visor, revealing his face, and shouted at the Union executives.
"Evidence of corruption, embezzlement, and various malfeasances in the Red Tower has been secured through formal complaints. We will investigate each one thoroughly, so come quietly."
The knights and guards moved to arrest the Union executives.
Kunrad and the others resisted, screaming.
"Do you know who I am? I had dinner and drinks with the mayor just yesterday! Let go! Do you want to ruin your knight career?"
The Union executives, who had long manipulated the Neutral City with their wealth and power, tried to threaten and break free from the knights.
The watching guard captain approached and struck the chairmanʼs defiant face with his swordʼs pommel as he held his head high.
"Gah!"
Broken teeth clattered to the floor, and with his jaw dislocated in agony, the chairman collapsed on the spot.
The guard captain addressed the knights.
"Sir Zeke Draker has taken responsibility, so use force if they resist."
No matter how prestigious the Red Tower was, it paled in comparison to the Draker family.
Without hesitation, the knights subdued the Union executives and dragged them toward the guard station.
"Aaaargh! Zeke Draker! Zeke Draaaaker!"
Amid the executivesʼ screams as they were hauled away, the Red Tower—tainted by decades of corruption and profiteering—crumbled pathetically.
Zeke had dismantled them cleanly, without spilling a drop of blood.
A week after the Red Towerʼs fall, Niki delivered Carmillaʼs message to Zeke.